Labour’s  Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall's Speech at Labour Party Conference 2025

Labour's  Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall's Speech at Labour Party Conference 2025

"Conference 

I'm here to talk about a great British success story. 

From Jenner's first vaccine and Fleming's penicillin… 

… to Hodgkin's biological breakthroughs 

… and Crick and Franklin unlocking the genetic code 

… in science and technology, Great Britons have led the world. 

Pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and endeavour ... 

... and creating the jobs and opportunities on which so many of us rely. 

History shows us that when we have the confidence to rise to the challenge of renewing our country, nothing is beyond our grasp.  

And this Labour Government, like those that have gone before 

… will seize the opportunities of science, technology and innovation 

… to shape a future that works for all. 

This starts with growing the economy and creating good jobs in every part of the country. 

Today, our science and tech sectors support two and half million jobs and contribute over £160 billion to our economy. 

But the potential for future growth and job creation is even greater still. 

That is why we are investing £86 billion in research and development.  

Backing our brilliant universities and companies - in life sciences, quantum, space and AI - so they continue to lead the world. 

Conference 

The age of Artificial Intelligence is upon us.  

AI is helping discover new drugs and therapies, improving diagnosis as well as treatment, and in future, will prevent and even cure diseases. 

It's helping us address climate change, improving our public services and transforming the world of work.    

Many people are already seeing the benefits of AI.   

But others are understandably worried. 

About their jobs. Their kids. And what it means for the future. 

So our message is simple.  

This Labour Government will harness the power of AI and make it to work for all.   

Ensuring no one is left behind, as we win the race for the future. 

In the last month alone, we secured £30 billion of investment through the UK US tech deal – creating good jobs and boosting local economies from Lanarkshire to Northamptonshire and Essex. 

Our new AI Growth Zones - like the one I launched in the North East with our fantastic Mayor Kim McGuiness - will not only build new data centres but new economies too.  

Bringing together businesses, scientists and entrepreneurs. Regenerating former industrial sites. And creating more than 5000 good quality jobs. 

So the region that led the industrial revolution now leads the technological revolution. 

That is what we mean by renewing Britain: not a slogan for the conference but a prescription for the nation. 

And Conference this is just the start.  

My brilliant Ministerial team… 

…. Ian Murray, Kanishka Naryan, Patrick Vallance and Liz Lloyd 

… are determined to ensure people feel confident about the future, and the changes it inevitably brings. 

That is why we are spreading skills and opportunity to every corner of the country. 

We're giving 1 million secondary school children new digital skills. 

Creating new tech scholarships and apprenticeships.  

And we are upskilling 7 and a half million workers in AI by 2030.  

And because we believe a more inclusive economy is better for people and better for growth, we will tear down the barriers to success ... 

… so more women, more people of colour, and more working class people can bring their talent and ambition to this sector. 

That is why I am announcing today a new Women's Tech Taskforce, with experts across the industry, to finally smash those glass ceilings.  

Because Britain's future shouldn't just be shaped by the Tech Bros in Silicon Valley but our Tech Sisters – right here, in the UK. 

Conference 

Labour is creating good jobs across the country. 

And we are transforming our public services too.  

We are seizing the power of technology to bring Government and public services into the digital age. 

That includes our plans for a new digital ID. 

Countless other countries are already using digital ID to make people's lives easier, more convenient and more secure.  

No more endless form filling and producing countless bits of paper just to prove who you are. 

Instead a simple digital key, kept on your phone. 

Making it easier to start a new job.  

Helping to tackle illegal working and rogue employers. 

Simplifying how you book childcare, open a bank account, and much more besides. 

Conference 

It is because we are serious about using technology to unlock a better future, especially for young people, that we are serious about keeping children safe online. That is non-negotiable. 

It's why my first act as Secretary of State was to force social media companies to find and remove content that promotes suicide and self-harm. 

And today I can announce I will go further, by making cyber-flashing a priority offence. 

So, platforms will be required – by law – to find and remove this material. 

Because what is illegal offline, must be illegal online. 

When it comes to keeping children safe online I will not hesitate to act. 

What a contrast to Mr Farage and Reform. 

Who claim they champion family values. 

But want the Online Safety Act scrapped.   

Allowing those who spread horrific images and vile abuse to go unchecked … with all the online stranger dangers this brings.  

So when it comes to British families and British values. 

Be in no doubt. 

It's Labour who's on your side. 

Conference 

I want to end by saying this. 

There's lots of talk about the problems in our country. 

The challenges we face, and how hard it is to deliver change. 

But I am optimistic about the future. 

I'm a glass half full kind of woman. 

Because I know, our country has never lacked talent, ambition or ideas. 

Our Great British scientists, innovators, creators and entrepreneurs and have proved this time and again. 

What our country has always needed is a Government  

… that believes the strongest economies leave no one behind 

… the strongest societies give everyone the chance to thrive.  

A Government that chooses to tear down the barriers to success, and make the future work for all. 

That is Labour's mission. 

It is our DNA. 

To renew our country. 

Built on fairness. 

So we deliver a better future for all."